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Gov. Spencer J. Cox, commander in chief, and Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, the adjutant general, Utah National Guard, salute the colors during the opening of the 67th annual Governor’s Day at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The tradition of governor’s day is an opportunity for the governor and adjutant general to honor their troops and talk to them about their priorities. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
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Gov. Spencer J. Cox, commander in chief, and Maj. Gen. Michael J. Turley, the adjutant general, Utah National Guard, conduct a pass in review during the 67th annual Governor’s Day at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The Humvee is driven by Sgt. Spencer Fayles with the 144th Area Support Medical Company, the 2022 All-Guard National Soldier of the Year. The time-honored tradition of Governor’s Day has been celebrated by the Utah National Guard since 1954 and allows the governor to inspect and speak to his troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
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Brig. Gen. Charlene Dalto, commander of the Land Component Command, Utah Army National Guard, takes charge of the colors to open the 67th annual Governor’s day at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The time-honored tradition of Governor’s Day has been celebrated by the Utah National Guard since 1954, and allows the governor to inspect and speak to his troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
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Command Sgt. Maj. Richard G. Thalman and Chief Master Sgt. Brian L. Garrett, along with others bow their heads in remembrance of service members who have lost their lives in service to their country, at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022, during the 67th annual Governor’s Day. Thalman and other members of Utah National Guard leadership turn to face the Gold Star family members–families who have lost a service member in the line of duty. The time-honored tradition of Governor’s Day has been celebrated by the Utah National Guard since 1954, and allows the governor to inspect and speak to his troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
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Gov. Spencer J. Cox salutes Utah Army National Guard Soldiers as they march during the 67th Annual Governor’s Day at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The tradition of Governor’s Day has been a part of the Utah National Guard since 1954 and allows the commander in chief and adjutant general of the Utah National Guard a joint opportunity to inspect and speak to their troops. (U.S. Army Photo by Staff Sgt. Ariel J. Solomon)
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Utah National Guard Soldiers stand in front of both Utah Governor, Spencer Cox and the adjutant general of Utah, Maj. Gen. Michael Turley and on Tarbet Field during the 67th annual Governor's Day ceremony at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. The time-honored tradition continues after being cancelled for two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event included a live pass in review ceremony, which allows the commander in chief and adjutant general of the Utah National Guard a joint opportunity to inspect their troops.
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The United States Flag flies behind National Guard Soldiers and Airmen standing in formation on Tarbet Field during the 67th annual Governor's Day ceremony at Camp Williams, Utah, Sept. 24, 2022. Governor’s Day is a time-honored tradition that has been celebrated by the Utah National Guard since 1954. The event includes a live pass in review ceremony, which allows the commander in chief and adjutant general of the Utah National Guard a joint opportunity to inspect their troops.
(Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Cambrin Bassett)VIEW ORIGINAL
Utah National Guard Airmen and Soldiers celebrated the 67th annual Governor’s Day after a two-year hiatus Sept. 24, 2022, at Camp Williams, Utah.
This was the first Governor’s Day for both Gov. Spencer J. Cox as the commander in chief of the Utah National Guard and Maj. Gen. Michael Turley as the adjutant general, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions. The governor and the adjutant general officiated the pass in review of approximately 4,000 Airmen and Soldiers on Tarbet Field.
The pass in review is a time honored tradition and was Cox’s first opportunity to observe the state of readiness of his military troops. The ceremony commenced with a 19-volley cannon salute in honor of the governor and was followed by Cox and Turley addressing the troops.
“The Utah National Guard is an innovative and adaptive organization ready to meet the challenges of the future fight,” said Cox. “I am thankful to the Utah National Guard and the valuable role they have played in the state's emergency response team.”
Turley added, “It is important to gather periodically for esprit de corps, for our teams, for our units, and it's also important for our community; the community of the Utah National Guard.”
The ceremony also featured fly overs from the Utah Air National Guard and the Utah Army National Guard aviation assets including a KC-135 Stratotanker and an arrangement consisting of two UH-60 Black Hawks and two AH-64 Apaches in a diamond formation.
During the ceremony, more than 148 Gold Star family members were recognized. A Gold Star family consists of spouses, children, parents, siblings or others whose loved one died in service to the U. S. Armed Forces.
“Gold Star mothers and families are the resilient legacies of their servicemembers' sacrifice to our nation,” said Governor Cox.
Additionally, during their address to the troops, both Cox and Turley conveyed the importance of mental health care.
“Mental illness is real and it affects all of us. It doesn’t matter how tough you are. It doesn’t matter how trained you are,” said Cox. “We need you, your family needs you, the state needs you, this country needs you, and our world needs you and I need you to stay. It is not a weakness to ask for help. Indeed it is strength.”
Turley followed up stating, “Please come to us when you have needs, when you have concerns, when you’re stressed, there is help available. You are not weak. You are asking for help. In fact, you are strong.”
The festivities concluded with various activities including a classic car show, military equipment displays, and food trucks for the Soldiers, Airmen, and their families.
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